Objective

To provide policy and guidelines on research and development (R&D), innovation with the focus to transform the country into knowledge based society.

Functions

• To formulate and review science, technology, innovation and research policies, guidelines and standards and monitor their implementation;
• To promote innovations and application of science and technology in the country;
• To create conducive environment for science, technology and innovation research in the country;
• To develop professional staff on science and technology in liaison with relevant ministries/sectors;
• To establish and oversee the institutes of science and technology in the country;
• To formulate and coordinate the implementation of national innovation system;
• To stimulate industry and private sectors to increase its investment in S&T development and Innovation; and
• To establish and operationalise a National Research fund management.

This Division will be led by a Director and will have the following two Sections:-

• Research and Development Section; and
• Science and Technology Section.

Research and Development Section

This Section will perform the following activities:-

• Formulate and review a national research policy and monitor its implementation;
• Promote the development of the research knowledge and human capital in research;
• Promote the appropriate use of research resources through strategic institutional planning, collaboration among institutions and between sectors;
• Support competitive research activities relevant to industry, and private sectors for socio- economic development;
• Initiate and coordinate the development of the national Research Agenda (NRA);
• Develop and coordinate research and development strategy, research dissemination and application;
• Facilitate establishment and oversee a national research fund management;
• Create conducive environment and system for private sector participation in research;
• Develop mechanism for promoting collaboration in research among institutions;
• Promote links with industry and business so as to identify needs and resources of these sectors and define relevant research programmes;
• Undertake policy research, technology assessment, feasibility and technical studies to foster socio-economic development; and
• Facilitate entrepreneurship and business collaboration in research Institutions.

This Section will be led by an Assistant Director.

Science and Technologies Section

This Section will perform the following activities:-

• Formulate and review policies, laws and regulations related to Science, Technology, Innovations, Development and Transfer and monitor their implementation;
• Promote the development of legal and regulatory framework for Science, Technology, Innovations Development and Transfer;
• Facilitate conducive environment for commercialisation of research outcomes Technology Innovations and Inventions;
• Oversee protection of Innovations, Inventions and Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) in the country;
• Facilitate and coordinate the establishment of Science Parks, new centres of excellence in science and technology and oversee their effectiveness  in the country;
• Identify and establish mechanism for promotion of application and acquisition of appropriate technologies;
• Facilitate transfer and application of appropriate technologies to public for socio economic development;
• Prepare and oversee the implementation of programmes and guidelines for development of innovators/investors in the country;
• Facilitate promotion of National, Regional and International cooperation collaboration in research and development, science, technology and innovation;
• Facilitate linkages and cooperation among public sector, academia and private sector in the development of science technology and innovation;
• Facilitate promotion of human capital development in science, technology and innovation;
• Facilitate the mainstreaming of gender issues in science and technology programmes and innovation; and
• Oversee the establishment and use of the Innovation Fund.

This Section will be led by an Assistant Director.